View full sizeJohn Kuntz, The Plain DealerJosh Cribbs: "Me being sick and tired doesn't mean I want to leave. It means I want to win now."

BEREA, Ohio — Josh Cribbs is "fed up" with losing. Everyone knows that, of course, because the Browns receiver and return specialist has been vocal about his dissatisfaction since the Browns' loss to Cincinnati on Sunday. He has hinted that he's unhappy with his role in the offense, and explained repeatedly that he can no longer stomach the losing records that have piled up in his seven seasons in Cleveland.

None of that means that he wants to leave Cleveland, he clarified Thursday.

And Browns coach Pat Shurmur said Cribbs' public form of venting is fine, but he would also like to remind Cribbs that the coach's office door is open.

"I have an open door and I expect if they have an issue, they come see me man-to-man about it," Shurmur said. "That's the way we handle things here."

Shurmur said he encourages his players to both have open discussions with him -- which, he said, Cribbs has -- and speak their minds with the media. Cribbs, for his part, said he has embraced the open communication policy.

"I talk to coach all the time," Cribbs said. "I just finished talking to him. I talk to him casually, through the hallway, at the beginning and end of practice."

If so, Shurmur probably has reminded Cribbs that his 29 receptions for 358 yards through 11 games this season already have surpassed last season's 15-game totals of 23 catches for 292 yards. Cribbs also has an increased role on special teams since he spoke earlier this season about wanting more time there.

"His role is heavy on special teams, we use him quite a bit," Shurmur said.

Shurmur said Cribbs has never spoken about being unhappy with his role in the Browns' offense, even if Cribbs declined to answer that question when asked specifically about it Wednesday.

"It sounded to me like he just wants to win," Shurmur said.

And Cribbs said again Thursday that's all he wanted to make clear.

"That doesn't mean that I want to leave [because] I am sick and tired of losing like everybody is," Cribbs said. "Me being sick and tired doesn't mean I want to leave. It means I want to win now.

"So we're going to focus all our energy in trying to win. I'm tired of losing."

Hardesty to play . . . again? Running back Montario Hardesty practiced Thursday, his first time on the field since attempting to play in Sunday's game at Cincinnati. After warm-ups against the Bengals, Hardesty determined he couldn't play because of lingering effects of the torn calf muscle that has kept him out of the past four games.

He reported he felt good after practice, and hopes to give it another go this Sunday against Baltimore. If he plays, it will be the first time since a Week 4 loss to Tennessee that both he and fellow running back Peyton Hillis have been fully healthy for a game.

Losing Scott Fujita: Linebacker Scott Fujita had surgery on his broken right hand Wednesday, and while the injury means the end of his season, Browns defensive coordinator Dick Jauron does not think it's the end of the 32-year-old's career or time in Cleveland.

"He's clearly a guy that takes care of himself," Jauron said. "He's very professional in his approach to everything -- studying the game, preparing himself physically and mentally, staying in shape in the off-season. He's the definition of a pro."

He's the most vocal leader among the linebackers, a loss the Browns will try to overcome with a combination of linebackers filling his place.

"Everyone has to do a little more," linebacker D'Qwell Jackson said. "You can't replace Scott. He's a savvy vet, he sees things that a lot of us don't see. But we'll be all right."

Pontbriand statement: Through his agent, deposed long snapper Ryan Pontbriand issued the following statement: "I'm proud to have worn a Browns jersey for nine seasons and I will miss being a part of the organization and the city of Cleveland. I am however confident in my ability and look forward to a start with another team."

Briefly: Jauron said the right defensive end position left open by injured Emmanuel Stephens will be filled by a rotation of Brian Schaefering, Auston English and Jayme Mitchell. . . . Safety Mike Adams (shoulder) was limited in practice after sitting out Wednesday. Jauron said he was optimistic Adams will play. . . . Reminder -- Sunday's game vs. Baltimore has been changed to a 4:05 p.m. start.

Follow Us

cleveland.com is powered by Plain Dealer Publishing Co. and Northeast Ohio Media Group. All rights reserved (About Us).The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Northeast Ohio Media Group LLC.